Singur and the proposed Rs 1 Lakh car project by the Tatas have been making news for quite some time now. And unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons. It all started with the acquisition of land from the farmers, which, the opposition led by Mamta Banerjee, claimed, was illegal. And even now that the Tatas have actually started construction at the site, the controversy is far from over!
Personally, I was pretty interested in this whole project, as was the middle class junta of our country. It provided us with a suitable alternative to motorcycles, far more safe than two-wheelers on congested city roads, and also extremely affordable. However, the way things have transpired, completing the construction of the plant itself is a challenge now, let alone starting production by 2008!
And I have to say, my heart goes out to all those poor farmers who have lost their lands. And that too, at a place like Singur which is supposed to be one of the most fertile stretches of land in the state. And for once, I support Mamta Banerjee in her fight against the construction of this plant. In the past, I have despised her for her over-the-top, foolish actions like throwing a bunch of papers at the Lok Sabha speaker and staging several unnecessary walkouts. But this time, she is fighting for a cause that is genuine, a cause that is in the true interests of the people of the state.
For the last 3 decades West Bengal had been craving for a Chief Minister who could take the state forward, someone who could help the state regain its past glory. And after Buddhadeb Bhattacharya took over from the seemingly unapproachable Jyoti Basu, there was indeed an air of change in the state. The new CM was open to investments in the state by private firms, and a lot of companies actually started showing interest. The Tatas were no different. However, the one thing that went against Buddhadeb this time was his own stubbornness regarding the site of the plant. Yes, Bengal needs this plant. It’ll definitely provide employment for a lot of people in the state, it sure will improve the quality of life. But, not at the cost of a piece of land that is so productive! Whether the land was acquired legally or not, I don’t know. But why waste a fertile piece of land like this?
What makes Buddhadeb’s obstinacy even more difficult to understand is the fact that there are other plots of land available in the state where the Tatas can build their plant! We do have land near Dankuni, as well as the semi-urban area of Rajarhat! And yet, for some strange reason, the CM is hell-bent upon having this plant in Singur only!
The Tatas in this whole controversy, have maintained a strictly business-like approach. They are only concerned about setting the plant up, and that is quite understandable. They had been shown this piece of land, they liked it, and now they want to go ahead with their project. We don’t know what could have happened had the WB govt. showed them some other plot of land!
The dispute, I feel, will continue for some more time, as no feasible solution seems to be on the cards. Mamta Banerjee, with the support of the farmers and Medha Patkar (who, ironically, has learnt her fiery brand of social activism at an institute built by the Tatas themselves – the Tata Institute of Social Sciences!) is relentless in her struggle. And as far as Mr. CM goes, no signs of him becoming flexible either! So, we’ll have to wait a little longer if we are to see the climax of this movie! Just one thing, the Rs. 1 Lakh car project would be extremely beneficial for the middle class of this country. The ego of a stubborn politician should not prevent it from successful execution!
